There have been several incredible and memorable football matches in 2021. Numerous sporting events were scheduled to take place in 2020 but were postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the year comes to a close, this is the ideal time to reflect on the most thrilling football matches that restored everyone’s faith in the game’s mystique.
With significant international tournaments taking place over the summer and high-stakes league and continental matches throughout the year, the football world has managed to cram a lot into 2021.
It’s simple to forget the smaller capacity or empty grounds that many of us encountered in the first half of the year now that seeing packed Premier League stadiums is the norm for the 2021–22 season.
The football gods blessed us with a thrilling Euro 2020, a historic Copa America in which Argentina and Lionel Messi broke a lengthy drought, and the uncommon spectacle of goalkeepers taking penalties in the Europa League final.
With so much happening from January to December, it was difficult for us to choose just ten of the best games of the year. However, here are ten of our favorites, listed in no particular order.
10. Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City, Premier League, October 3
With numerous spectacular games already played, the new 2021/22 season has unquestionably gotten off to a tremendous start. The eagerly anticipated matchup between Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester City is undoubtedly one of them. Everyone eagerly anticipates the yearly masterclass between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. They also didn’t let us down this year. The fight was as epic as anticipated, yet neither side was able to emerge victorious. Sadio Mane scored the game’s first goal in the 59th minute after the first half ended scorelessly, however, Phil Foden later tied the game. Within five minutes of Mohamed Salah’s goal, Kevin De Bruyne scored again to tie the game. This year’s Premier League fans will never forget that amazing game
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9. Bayern Munich 2-3 Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League quarter-final first leg, April 7
Undoubtedly, this was one of the most interesting and memorable games of 2021. The Champions League finalists from the previous season met again and demonstrated what the elite game is all about. After Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller scored goals for PSG, Kylian Mbappe scored a brace and Marquinhos added a goal of his own to give PSG the lead. It was a must-watch game, which kind of hinted at the more captivating second-leg game. Paris’ team advanced to the semifinals to face Manchester City despite Bayern winning the second leg 1-0.
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8. Borussia Monchengladbach 5-0 Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, October 27
Undoubtedly one of the strangest games thus far this season. Few people dispute that Bayern Munich is the best club in the Bundesliga. No team, however, can guarantee that they won’t play poorly and lose 5-0. The current Bundesliga champion team was defeated by Borussia Monchengladbach. Ramy Bensebaini and Breel Embolo each scored twice, and Kouadio Kone’s first goal gave their team a crucial 5-0 thrashing victory over Bayern Munich.
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7. Italy 1(4)-1(2) Spain, Euro 2020 semi-final, July 6
The Euro 2020 event will undoubtedly go down in history. The tournament, which had been delayed in 2020, finally took place in 2021 and provided fans with several memorable and thrilling matches, including the semifinal match between Italy and Spain. Despite La Furia Roja’s absolute dominance throughout the contest, they and the Azzurri ended up tying. This prompted a penalty shootout, where Italy was awarded a spot in the championship game.
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6. Italy 1(3)-1(2) England, Euro 2020 final, July 11
Football finals are the most memorable matches ever played, and this summer’s Euro final is no exception. England took an early lead thanks to a goal from Luke Shaw, but Leonardo Bonucci’s equalizer in the second half forced extra time and a penalty shootout. Gianluigi Donnarumma made brave saves throughout the tense minutes to give his nation the desired Euro 2020 championship.
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5. Portugal 2-4 Germany, Euro 2020 Group Stage, June 19
Two own goals were scored in this match, which was part of this summer’s Euro. Many thrilling games were anticipated in the death group of France, Germany, Portugal, and Hungary. And the teams did not let us down. Portugal’s goals came from Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota, while Germany’s goals came from Kai Havertz, Robin Gosens, Ruben Dias, and Raphael Guerreiro with their own goals. Unfortunately, Portugal was unable to advance to the next stage of the Euros, but everyone will remember this match
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4. Villarreal 1(11)-1(10) Manchester United, Europa League final, May 26
Fans have witnessed a tremendously lengthy and surprisingly unexpected Europa League final. The game went into extra time after goals from Gerard Moreno and Edinson Cavani, followed by the very lengthy penalty shootout. It was time for the goalkeepers to get involved because all of the players had already converted penalties. When David de Gea failed to score, Villarreal of La Liga, currently in the seventh position, defeated Manchester United of the Premier League, currently in second place.
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3. Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool, Premier League, October 24
One of the Premier League season’s most unexpected results to date. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal was ultimately caused by Manchester United’s humiliation, which served as sort of the catalyst for his demise. Liverpool is still having a fantastic start to the season, led by Mohamed Salah’s hat trick and goals from Naby Keita, Diogo Jota, and others. The situation worsened when Paul Pogba was dismissed, leaving the Red Devils with just 10 players.
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2. Argentina 1-0 Brazil, Copa America final, July 11
The football community as a whole had been waiting for this game. Will Argentina win a trophy for Lionel Messi, or not? Yes, also! He did! One of the best players in football history finally succeeded in winning a trophy with his national team after many years of waiting, heartbreaking losses, retirement, and comebacks from the international stage. Argentina and Lionel Messi won the coveted Copa America trophy thanks to an Angel Di Maria goal in the 22nd minute.
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1. Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea, Champions League final, May 29
One of the most anticipated games of the year is the Champions League final, and this year was no exception. In a highly thrilling and difficult match between two of the top European teams, Chelsea and Man City, Kai Havertz’s goal gave the London team their second Champions League trophy. The city is still waiting to win its first Champions League championship, although they came very close. Follow us on Twitter or join us on Telegram!
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